Question

Ain't I A Woman by Sojourner Truth?

Answer 1

@kittiwitti1

Answer 2

his speech was delivered at the 1851 Women's Convention in Akron, Ohio.

"Well, children, where there is so much racket there must be something out of kilter. I think that 'twixt the negroes of the South and the women at the North, all talking about rights, the white men will be in a fix pretty soon. But what's all this here talking about?

That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain't I a woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man - when I could get it - and bear the lash as well! And ain't I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain't I a woman?

Then they talk about this thing in the head; what's this they call it? [member of audience whispers, "intellect"] That's it, honey. What's that got to do with women's rights or n*groes' rights? If my cup won't hold but a pint, and yours holds a quart, wouldn't you be mean not to let me have my little half measure full?

Then that little man in black there, he says women can't have as much rights as men, 'cause Christ wasn't a woman! Where did your Christ come from? Where did your Christ come from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him.

If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back , and get it right side up again! And now they is asking to do it, the men better let them.

Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old Sojourner ain't got nothing more to say."

I put the * in the N word so it wouldn't be edited out.

What does this poem say about the way slavery was viewed by the women who suffered through it? What else does it say to you about the effects of feminism on black women during the 1850's?

Answer 3

Try the English main forums, they should help more o:

Answer 4

I have always loved this particular piece. From a historical standpoint, we know that many black women pulled back a little on the issue of gender equality so that they could concentrate their efforts on the abolition of slavery in the United States. That being said, many avid suffragists were also abolitionists. Many white women also equated the subservient role of women in society with slavery. Many women who were involved in the abolitionist movement became involved in the suffrage movement as well.